Tucson Puppet Works has quickly become one of the centers of activity in the Downtown Arts District. It is run by a collective of puppeteers who provide entertainment for adults and kids alike in regular puppet shows. Come to see the Puppet Church Sundays and experience a different kind of Sunday service, or join the All Souls Parade to watch the masks and costumes dancing around downtown. Puppeteering workshops are available. The art space at the gallery is reserved for fine art, usually featuring groups of local artists.

Due to its world-renowned Center for Creative Photography, Tucson has become a Mecca for photographers and photo collectors alike. Temple Gallery is only one of the many venues for photo exhibits in town, but it's one of the best. Located inside the Temple of Music and Art, it's easily accessible for art lovers of all genres. The focus here is on vintage 19th and early 20th century photographs, some of them enhanced by hand painting. Call for current exhibits.

Located in the downtown arts district, this non-profit organization serves as a venue for multicultural events, not just for Latin America, but the entire world community that is represented in Tucson. As the Latino people are the largest minority in the city, it is not surprising that the focus is on art that originated south of the border. There is a wide variety of media represented here, woodworks and bronzes, as well as paintings and photography.

This building, designed in 1929 by Los Angeles architect M. Eugene Durfee, once belonged to the chain of movie theaters showing Fox Studio productions, decorated with those Art Deco motifs that were typical of the movie houses of the period. After long years of falling into disrepair and neglect since 1974, it is now in the process of being renovated and revitalized, due to the much-publicized efforts of a group of conservationist citizens. If things go well, the theater will soon be reborn to its old glory, including neon marquee, Art Deco street facade, gold fluted columns and even the original organ pipes.

Tolteca Tlacuilo means "a balance between crafts and nature," and that's what this store is striving for. Located inside the Old Town Artisans arts and crafts complex downtown, it features a huge array of handcrafted gifts not only just from Mexico and the Americas, but the entire world, with a special emphasis on the crafts of Africa and India. A local angle is provided by the more than 200 Tucson artists that are showcased here. Note the impressive collection of handcrafted wind chimes.

Following a current trend in art, this new downtown gallery focuses on sculpture made from recycled metal and wood, reassembled to create new dimensions in junk. The studio also serves as a showcase for the art of Scott Baker, a craftsman who designs and produces custom furniture in limited editions. Most artists here are of local and regional origin, and represent the mostly avantgarde section of the Tucson art scene downtown.

Due to the Hispanic influence, Christmas in Tucson always takes on a specifically Mexican flavor. 'Las Posadas', a reenactment of the Christmas story, 'El Nacimiento', the nativity scene, and tamales are parts of the attractions offered at the annual Mexican Christmas Market downtown, which runs from mid-November into January. Enjoy shopping for your own Christmas celebration while learning about Mexican Christmas traditions and sampling the food from different Hispanic communities. Bring the kids.

Every year, the top performers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association gather in Tucson to compete, and the winners are named to perform in the finals of the rodeo circuit. If you're here during the fall, take yourself and the kids to witness Desert Thunder Pro Rodeo, which includes bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and mutton busting-it's an activity that kids will enjoy. There's also a sideline of vendors offering Western-theme artwork and accessories.

This is where the members of the Tucson Watercolor Guild study the art of painting with watercolors, exhibit their works, and sell them. The guild has several membership exhibits each year, plus separate shows featuring watercolor artists of renown. Pieces that are sold are required to stay in the gallery until after the show. Aspiring painters can drop off their pieces at appointed times.

Sculptor William Skiles exhibits his metal works and handcrafted jewelry in this downtown gallery; while his wife, Lisa Stotska, shows her pastels and mixed media works. This has been the couple's working studio for three years, but they are not limited to showing just their own works. Drop in on a Downtown Saturday Night, when all the galleries downtown open their doors to the public. It is also open during Downtown Saturday nights.